ROCK MUSIC MENU: Stone Temple Pilots fire Weiland

By MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER

Friday, March 1, 2013

You ever get the feeling that Scott Weiland is a bit difficult to deal with?

Having fronted and co-founded Stone Temple Pilots and later Velvet Revolver, marquee groups no doubt, he has left both in the lurch on numerous times due to drug fueled binges, jail stints and typical diva-like behavior.

His bandmates in Stone Temple Pilots, for one, have apparently had more than enough. Wednesday, brothers Robert and Dean DeLeo along with drummer Eric Kretz put out a terse statement that read, "Stone Temple Pilots have announced they have officially terminated Scott Weiland."

The news came as a shock to many, especially as the group was apparently knee-deep into recording its seventh studio effort and Weiland, who launched a solo tour this week where he will be showcasing music from the first two STP releases, has been positive about the future of the group in the press. He seemed most surprised at the turn of events.

"I learned of my supposed 'termination' from Stone Temple Pilots this morning by reading about it in the press," he said in a statement. "Not sure how I can be 'terminated' from a band that I founded, fronted and co-wrote many of its biggest hits, but that's something for the lawyers to figure out. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to seeing all of my fans on my solo tour which starts this Friday."

Just the day before the statement from Stone Temple Pilots, Weiland gave an interview to Rolling Stone where he refuted reports that he had quit, was fired or that the band had broken up. Interestingly enough, it was Slash, Weiland's former bandmate in Velvet Revolver, who started the rumor mill months ago when he said he heard the singer had been fired from STP.

The whole situation is pretty bizarre, mainly because Weiland seems to exist in a world where the sun orbits around him. He says things that everyone else on the planet denies, but then acts puzzled when he is called out on it.

Case in point: He said late last year that it was the "perfect time" to get back with Velvet Revolver, and that "I am completely open to it, and I know there are other guys in the band that are completely open to it."

Slash quickly nixed the hopes, saying that the door had been shut on his side and that Weiland was simply looking for a backup plan because he was out of STP. Now Weiland says that Slash's words were taken out of context, which is either a passive-aggressive move or proof that he is totally delusional.

Without question, Scott Weiland is one of the premiere frontmen in recent rock and roll history. He had the moves, the temperament and the confidence to pull it all off -- when he was on. Unfortunately, history is going to remember him just as much for his indiscretions as it will his commanding lead of the bands he fronted.

To contact music columnist Michael Christopher, send an email to rockmusicmenu@hotmail.com. Also, check out his blog on the Daily Times website.